He wrote these books as his research log describing his apprenticeship with a traditional 'Man of Knowledge' identified as don Juan Matus, a Yaqui Indian from northern Mexico. 1-2)Ĭastaneda’s first three books, The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge, A Separate Reality and Journey to Ixtlan, were written while Castaneda was an anthropology student at UCLA. Magical Passes comprise bodily movements discovered in dream states by shamans of don Juan’s lineage, expanding their powers of perception. Castaneda described as the modern version of the “magical passes” of the shamans of ancient Mexico (Magical Passes p. Critics have suggested that they are works of fiction supporters claim the books are either true or at least valuable works of philosophy and descriptions of practices which enable an increased awareness.Ĭastaneda withdrew from public view in 1973 to work further on his inner development, living in a large house in Westwood, California with three women whom he called 'Fellow Travellers of Awareness.' He founded Cleargreen, an organization that promotes Tensegrity®, which Dr.

His 12 books have sold more than 28 million copies in 17 languages. The books, narrated in the first person, relate his experiences under the tutelage of a Yaqui 'Man of Knowledge' named don Juan Matus. Starting with The Teachings of Don Juan in 1968, Castaneda wrote a series of books that describe his training in shamanism, particularly with a group whose lineage descended from the Toltecs. Carlos Castaneda was an American author with a Ph.D.

The tales of don juan